Wednesday, March 20, 2013

My Review of Wings of Glass (CFBA Tour)

Gina Holmes began her career in 1998, penning articles and short stories. In 2005 she founded the influential literary blog, Novel Journey, now called Novel Rocket, and she is also the founder of Inspire The Fire.

Her debut, Crossing Oceans, was a Christy and Gold Medallion finalist and winner of the Carol Award, INSPY, and RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice, as well as being a CBA, ECPA, Amazon and PW Religion bestseller. Her sophomore novel, Dry as Rain, was also named a Christy finalist. Her upcoming novel, Wings of Glass will release this month. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her family in southern Virginia. She works too hard, laughs too loud, and longs to see others heal from their past and discover their God-given purpose.

ABOUT THE BOOK

From the bestselling author of Crossing Oceans comes a heart-rending yet uplifting story of friendship and redemption.

On the cusp of womanhood, Penny is swept off her feet by a handsome farmhand with a confident swagger. Though Trent Taylor seems like Prince Charming and offers an escape from her one-stop-sign-town, Penny’s happily ever after lasts no longer than their breakneck courtship. Before the ink even dries on their marriage certificate, he hits her for the first time. It isn’t the last, yet the bruises that can’t be seen are the most painful of all.

When Trent is injured in a welding accident and his paycheck stops, he has no choice but to finally allow Penny to take a job cleaning houses. Here she meets two women from very different worlds who will teach her to live and laugh again, and lend her their backbones just long enough for her to grow her own.

Wings of Glass is a story told in an easygoing style that tackles a very difficult subject. The first-person point of view - from a mother telling her son the story of his parents - is at times engaging, at other times painful or hard to understand. I think the way the story is told is clever and has its own impact, being able to see how one person so deeply affected by a situation deals with the hardships and interacts with the people around her. But in some ways, I feel like the emotions and experiences conveyed might have been even more powerful seen through the eyes of other characters in addition to her own explanations.

That being said, the struggle is very real and gripping. The reader knows how Penny has been separated from her parents, watches her test her wings as circumstances allow her to get out of the house and get a job, rejoices with her as she opens up to friendships with unique secondary characters, and follows her journey of discovering who to trust and where to look for freedom.

Wings of Glass is a story about the little steps one takes toward facing the need for change, healing, and a safe home. It's a story about truly embracing truth. While not a light-hearted adventure or a happily-ever-after romance, it does offer an empathetic look at the trials of a woman trapped and suffering in an abusive relationship.

*With thanks to the publisher through CFBA for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

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A Prayer for Humility

"Break me, Lord, until I'm wholly yours."

~ Tamera Alexander

(The Inheritance)

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Welcome to My Blog!

The title of this blog refers to a poem I wrote entitled Seasons of Humility. In the poem I express the struggle I have had with wanting my own way. I want to hold on to my own dreams, my own plans for my life. But I know that God has a plan for my life, one that will bring Him glory and will be even better than my dreams. So while the autumn and winter "seasons" of learning to let go can sometimes be painful and long, when the spring comes it is wondrous indeed. And through it all God never leaves me. The intent of this blog, then, is to share my thoughts as I continue on this journey of striving to be humble before my Lord. My hope is that my thoughts will encourage you on your journey, as well, whether my thoughts are on my day or on the books I have been reading!

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About Me

Amber Holcomb (Stokes) is an indie author and freelance editor living below the majestic mountains of Montana with her new husband. Previously, she worked in marketing for a Christian publisher for nearly three years. Her passion for books compelled her to earn a bachelor's degree in English and now fuels her work with words in this new season of life.